Stopping Smoking

nicotine sprayKasey Morris
Stopping Smoking

Introduction

In this blog, we’ll take a look at the benefits of quitting smoking, addressing some common questions and concerns people have. We’ll also look at some tips and products that may help make the quitting process easier for you.

 

Can lungs heal after long term smoking?

This is one of the most common questions people have when they’re considering quitting smoking–and the answer is yes, your lungs can heal after you quit smoking! In fact, your lungs begin to heal immediately after you quit smoking, and some people may even notice breathing improvements within a few days. 

The longer you go without smoking, the healthier your lungs will grow. This is because dormant cells within the lungs begin to replace the damaged lung cells lining your airways. Within a year of quitting smoking, most people’s lungs are much healthier and breathing is easier, although the rate of improvement depends on how long and how heavily you smoked.

Once you quit smoking, you can also try the following to help further promote the healing of your lungs:

  • Eat healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and fish, all of which can help flush toxins from your body and repair cells.

  • Get regular cardiovascular exercise through swimming, running, cycling, and brisk walking, as this can help clear out your lungs.

  • Drink plenty of fluids to help loosen congestion.

 

What other health benefits are there to quitting smoking?

In addition to breathing better and having healthier lungs, you can experience the following benefits when you quit smoking:

  • A significant decrease in developing heart disease.

  • A lower risk of developing bladder, kidney, lung, mouth, and throat cancer.

It’s also important to note that by stopping smoking, you can help improve the health of those around you. Secondhand smoke increases a non-smokers risk of heart disease and heart attack, as well as various forms of cancer, and can be especially harmful to children, as it can impact the growth and development of their lungs and brains.

 

What other benefits are there to quitting smoking?

One of the main benefits of quitting smoking that isn’t health-related is how much money you’ll save, positively affecting your finances. Many people don’t realize quite how much money they’re spending on cigarettes and other tobacco products or smoking paraphernalia until they quit and see the extra money they have on hand.

 

Are there side effects to quitting smoking?

You may experience some unpleasant symptoms when you first quit smoking. Most of these issues will subside in time as your body adjusts to going without smoking.

Some people experience anxiety, depressed mood, sleeping issues, concentration problems, increased irritability, and increased appetite when they quit smoking. This is part of the withdrawal process, because your body is used to having nicotine in its system and is now trying to adjust to going without it.

For those who were highly dependent smokers, it may be helpful to still take nicotine in controlled quantities, such as through Nicorette Nasal Spray. This helps relieve the cravings that smokers often experience, without smoking.

You may also find that you cough a lot after quitting smoking. This is not a bad thing, as it helps to clear excess mucus from your lungs, but it should go away on its own after a few weeks to a year.

 

What can I do to help the quitting process?

If you were a highly dependent smoker who is struggling with withdrawal symptoms, as mentioned above, it may be helpful to still take some nicotine as needed as you try to adjust to not smoking. We carry a nasal spray, but there are also nicotine patches and chewing gums available.

We also suggest you do the following when you’re quitting smoking:

  • Get rid of all the cigarettes you may have in your home, car, or workplace.

  • Get rid of any smoking paraphernalia, such as ashtrays, lighters, or matches.

  • Thoroughly wash any clothing, bedding, or other items that smell strongly of cigarette smoke.

  • Tell other people that you’re quitting smoking so that they can help you stay accountable, and also know not to smoke around you.

  • Opt out of any marketing texts or emails from cigarette companies so that you aren’t tempted to start smoking again.

  • Avoid locations where smoking may occur, as secondhand smoke or seeing other people smoking can trigger your own cravings.

  • Be careful where you shop, and try to avoid locations that sell cigarettes or other smoking paraphernalia. 

  • Distract yourself so that you think less about smoking: listening to your favourite music, exercising, calling or texting a friend, working on a puzzle, or playing a video game may all help.

 

Other resources to help

The NHS offers a free Quit Smoking app you can download, either in the Apple App Store or on Google Play. This app helps you in your journey to quit smoking by:

  • Tracking your progress.

  • Showing how much money you’re saving by not smoking.

  • Giving you daily support.

  • Helping you to get inspired by others.

You can also create a Personal Quit Plan, which is customised to you and your current smoking habits and quitting goals.

Many people also find it helpful to get in touch with a Stop Smoking Adviser, to whom you can be referred by your GP or pharmacist, or by phoning your local stop smoking service as below:

 

In summary

Quitting smoking may seem like a daunting task, but it’s possible to do–and most people begin to see the positive results of quitting within a few days. It is possible for your lungs to begin to heal after you quit smoking, and your risk of adverse health effects will lessen. There are many tips you can take into consideration which may help you quit or which will lessen any side effects you may initially experience, as well as some helpful products. There are also many free resources in the UK for those seeking to quit smoking.

Tags: Nicotine spray, Smoking, Smoking cessation, Stopping smoking